EL SEGUNDO, Calif.-- International Rectifier Corporation, a leading manufacturer of power management electronics, broke ground recently on a new manufacturing site in Xi'an, China.

The new assembly and test facility is anticipated to become operational in early 2005 for the manufacturing of key power management components needed to support the world's growing requirement for power supplies, motion control, personal computers and a broad range of other consumer electronic products.

Walt Lifsey, IR's Executive Vice-President of Operations, remarked, "Our new Xi'an facility forms a significant milestone in our business strategy. It will allow us to better serve our customers in Asia."

"We're honored that International Rectifier has chosen to build their new site here. IR's new facility will be the largest international semiconductor assembly and test factory in the area. This site will strengthen International Rectifier's already well- established commitment in China and to the Asian markets," said Sun Qing Yun, the mayor of Xi'an.

The new site will be located in the Chang'an Technology Park in Xi'an's High Technology Industrial Development Zone. In addition to the new manufacturing facility, the Company maintains design and applications centers in Xi'an, a trading company in Shanghai, and multiple sales offices throughout China. International Rectifier operates facilities in 19 other countries throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Its headquarters are located in El Segundo, California.

International Rectifier is a world leader in power management technology. IR's analog and mixed signal ICs, advanced circuit devices, integrated power systems and components enable high performance computing and eliminate energy waste from motors, the world's single largest consumer of electricity. Leading manufacturers of computers, energy efficient appliances, lighting, automobiles, satellites, aircraft and defense systems rely on IR's power management benchmarks to power their next-generation products.